Friday, December 7, 2012

My Christmas wreath--and a confession

Every year I embellish a wreath for our front door. I start with an inexpensive pine wreath and add boughs of fresh fir cut from the bottom of our Christmas tree to make the wreath look lush and full. Then I add a bow and other embellishments. Here's our wreath this year:

You can see that I decided to go with blue and gold embellishments instead of my usual Christmas red so that the wreath would work well with the front porch re-do I completed this spring.

I'm happy with our wreath, but I'm not happy with my attitude about it.

When I finished the wreath, I said to my husband, "I think people will like it; that color blue is very fashionable in Christmas decor this year."

"Very fashionable"? I really said that?? About Christmas decorations?

Yes, I did. Dear Lord, forgive me.

Honestly, who cares what's the latest in Christmas decor? And if I do care, why do I care? I need to ponder this, I think. Maybe it's time for me to watch A Charlie Brown Christmas again.

One of the reasons I love Christmas is that this is one time of year when millions of people actually think about Christ. God loves us so much that He sent His son to live among us and to die for us. God Himself is with us! That's the reason to celebrate!

As we enjoy all the Christmas decor featured in magazines and on blogs and Pinterest, my hope is that we may all be inspired instead of intimidated. May we bless one another with beauty and joy, and may we not get caught so caught up in our preparations and celebrations that we forget what we're celebrating.

What do you think? Do you ever get so caught up in worrying about your decorations that you forget what Christmas is all about?

Honestly, yes sometimes the decorating ego gets in the way of the truth, but not for long. Last year all we had was a Thankful tree with homemade ornaments because we had a big trip (my favorite was the snore strips ornament) - but this year, after 9 months of cancer cancer cancer, I NEED to decorate. I NEED Steve to jump into projects with me to pull us together and set aside too many conversations that evolve around cancer. This year I'm doing a few projects and letting my creative side help heal my stress, not add to it. God knows my heart.

Richella, this is a great post! That's one of the reasons I like my Nativity in a much more visible space this year. When I get bummed about not being in the mood for a whole lot of decorating, I glance over; and I'm reminded of what it's really all about! Works every time!

First of all, I think your wreath looks great! It is SO hard to stay focused on the true meaning of Christmas, but I think this year it is more on my mind than ever. We don't need more stuff, our kids don't need more stuff, even the less fortunate around us don't need more stuff. We ALL need more JESUS!

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Amen. I love the line: "my hope is that we may all be inspired instead of intimidated."and: "may we not get caught so caught up in our preparations and celebrations that we forget what we're celebrating."I am sharing this post at my GHHH FB page.I love your heart.Love, Leslie P.S. You got called "Grace" above by Lois and I agree. You are grace.

You are SO right. I do alot of decorating but I don't forget what Christmas really means. The rest of my family, not so much. I am hoping to get to church this year after MANY years of not going. XO, Pinky

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Child of God, apprentice to Jesus, wife of a great guy, and mom of three wonderful sons, I'm a blessed and profoundly grateful woman. I'm also a writer and speaker, and I serve on the Ministry Team and Board of Directors of Renovaré, a ministry dedicated to Christian spiritual formation.

I love blogs for the glimpses they provide into people's lives, so my blog gives you a glimpse into my life--my home, my family, my faith. My prayer is that this blog might impart some grace to you.